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Business Taxes Law Guide—Revision 2024

BTLG Table of Contents > Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law > Chapter 5 > entire chapter

Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law

Revenue and Taxation Code

Division 2. Other Taxes
Part 2. Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Law

Chapter 5. Determinations and Payments


Article 1. Returns, Reports, and Payments

Article 2. Prepayments

Article 2.5. Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer

Article 3. Determination If No Return Made

Article 4. Deficiency Determinations

Article 5. Jeopardy Determinations and Weekly Payments

Article 6. Redeterminations

Article 7. Payments by Unlicensed Persons

Chapter 5. Determinations and Payments.

Article 1. Returns, Reports, and Payments

7651. Return. Each supplier shall prepare and file with the board a return in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media showing the total number of gallons of motor vehicle fuel removed, sold, or entered within this state during each calendar month, or that monthly period ended during that calendar month as the board may authorize, the amount of tax due for the month covered by the return, and other information as the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this part. The person shall file the return on or before the last day of the month following the monthly period to which it relates, together with a remittance payable to the Controller for the amount of tax due for that period less whatever amounts may have been paid theretofore for the same period because of returns, prepayment forms, and payments made on a weekly basis. To facilitate the administration of this part, the board may require the filing of the returns for other than monthly periods. Returns shall be authenticated in a form or pursuant to methods as may be prescribed by the board.

History—Stats. 2002, Ch. 459 (AB 1936), deleted "on forms prescribed by the board" after "and file with the board" and added "in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media" after "a return" in the first sentence of, and added the fourth sentence.

7652. Return; throughputter. [Repealed by Stats. 2001, Ch. 429 (AB 309), operative January 1, 2002.]

7652.5. Report; terminal operator. (a) Each terminal operator shall prepare and file with the board a report in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media showing, for the calendar month, or that monthly period ended during the calendar month as the board may authorize, the following:

(1) The name and license number of each person that is a position holder at each terminal it operates;

(2) The amount of motor vehicle fuel received at each terminal it operates;

(3) The identity of each position holder with respect to the rack removals of motor vehicle fuel from each terminal it operates and the volume and dates of the removals;

(4) The amount of motor vehicle fuel stored at each terminal it operates;

(5) The destination (by state) of all motor vehicle fuel removed at a terminal rack of each terminal it operates, to the extent that information has been provided to the terminal operator; and

(6) Any other information required by the board for the proper administration of this part. The terminal operator shall file the report on or before the last day of the month following the monthly period to which it relates. To facilitate the administration of this part, the board may require the filing of the reports for other than monthly periods. Reports shall be authenticated in a form or pursuant to methods as may be prescribed by the board.

(b) Upon written approval of the board, a terminal operator may satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a) above by executing and providing to the board a consent and authorization for the Internal Revenue Service to provide to the board under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, the return filed by the terminal operator under Section 48.4101-2 of Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The board may, in its sole discretion, rescind its approval and require a terminal operator to file reports as specified in subdivision (a).

History—Stats. 2002, Ch. 459 (AB 1936), deleted "on forms prescribed by the board" after "and file with the board" and added "in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media" after "a report" in the first sentence of, and added the third sentence to paragraph (6) to, subdivision (a).

7652.7. Report; pipeline operator and vessel operator. (a) Each pipeline operator and vessel operator shall prepare and file with the board a report in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media showing, for the calendar month, or that monthly period ended during the calendar month as the board may authorize, all of the following:

(1) The amount of motor vehicle fuel delivered to each terminal or refinery.

(2) The location of the terminal or refinery where the motor vehicle fuel was delivered.

(3) The date of delivery.

(4) Any other information required by the board for the proper administration of this part. The pipeline operator and vessel operator shall file the report on or before the last day of the month following the monthly period to which it relates. To facilitate the administration of this part, the board may require the filing of the reports for other than monthly periods. Reports shall be authenticated in a form or pursuant to methods as may be prescribed by the board.

(b) Upon written approval of the board, a pipeline operator and vessel operator may satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a) by executing and providing to the board a consent and authorization for the Internal Revenue Service to provide to the board under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, the return filed by the pipeline operator and vessel operator under Section 48.4101-2 of Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The board may, in its sole discretion, rescind its approval and require a pipeline operator and vessel operator to file reports as specified in subdivision (a).

History—Stats. 2002, Ch. 459 (AB 1936), deleted "on forms prescribed by the board" after "and file with the board" and added "in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media" after "a report" in the first sentence of, and added the third sentence to the second paragraph of paragraph (4) of, subdivision (a).

7652.8. Report; train operator. Each train operator shall prepare and file with the board a report in the form as prescribed by the board, which may include, but not be limited to, electronic media showing, for the calendar month, or that monthly period ended during the calendar month as the board may authorize, all of the following:

(a) The amount of motor vehicle fuel, alcohol, and aircraft jet fuel delivered into, out of, or within this state.

(b) The location where the motor vehicle fuel, alcohol, or aircraft jet fuel was delivered.

(c) The date of delivery.

(d) Any other information required by the board for the proper administration of this part. The train operator shall file the report on or before the last day of the month following the monthly period to which it relates. To facilitate the administration of this part, the board may require the filing of the reports for other than monthly periods. Reports shall be authenticated in a form or pursuant to methods as may be prescribed by the board.

History—Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 306 (AB 3079), in effect January 1, 2009.

7653. Return; floor stock tax. (a) Each person subject to the tax imposed under Section 7361, on or before February 28, 2002, shall prepare and file with the board, on forms prescribed by the board, a return showing the total number of gallons of motor vehicle fuel owned by the person on January 1, 2002, for which a tax has not been imposed under Part 2 (commencing with Section 7301) as in effect on December 31, 2001, the amount of the tax imposed, and any other information that the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this part. The return shall be accompanied by a remittance payable to the Controller in the amount of tax due.

(b) Any distributor, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 7361, who has tax-paid motor vehicle fuel in the bulk transfer/terminal system on January 1, 2002, which was purchased prior to January 1, 2002, shall report the tax-paid gallons on the subdivision (a) return. The amount of taxes paid on the tax-paid gallons shall constitute a credit against the amount of taxes due and payable on the subdivision (a) return, or on the supplier's January 2002 return required under Section 7651, and for each succeeding return until the credit is fully utilized.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 429 (AB 309), operative January 1, 2002, lettered the former sole paragraph as subdivision (a), and added subdivision (b).

7653.1. Return; storage tax. [Repealed by Stats. 2011, Ch. 6 (AB 105), in effect March 24, 2011.]

History—Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 11x8 (ABx8 6), in effect March 22, 2010. Stats. 2010, Ch. 9 (SB 70), in effect March 23, 2010, added ", other than aviation gasoline," after "motor vehicle fuel" in the first sentence.

7653.1. Return; storage tax. On or before August 31, 2010, each person subject to the storage tax imposed under Section 7361.1 shall prepare and file with the board, in a form prescribed by the board, a return showing the total number of gallons of tax-paid motor vehicle fuel, other than aviation gasoline, owned by the person on July 1, 2010, the amount of the storage tax, and any other information that the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this part. The return shall be accompanied by a remittance payable to the Controller in the amount of tax due.

History—Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 6 (AB 105), in effect March 24, 2011.

7653.2. Return; storage tax. On or before January 1, 2018, each person subject to the storage tax imposed under Section 7361.2 shall prepare and file with the board, in a form prescribed by the board, a return showing the total number of gallons of tax-paid motor vehicle fuel owned by the person on November 1, 2017, the amount of the storage tax, and any other information that the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this part. The return shall be accompanied by a remittance payable to the Controller in the amount of tax due.

History—Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 5 (SB 1), in effect April 28, 2017. Stats. 2018, Ch. 92 (SB 1289), in effect January 1, 2019, substituted "Controller" for "board" after "remittance payable to the" in the second sentence.

7654. Penalty; failure to file report or incomplete report. [Repealed by Stats. 2001, Ch. 429 (AB 309), operative January 1, 2002.]

7655. Penalty; failure to pay. (a) Any person who fails to pay the amount of tax shown to be due by his or her return on or before the last day of the month following the monthly period to which it relates shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the tax, together with interest on that tax at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the date on which the tax became due and payable to the state until the date of payment.

(b) Any supplier who fails to file a return in accordance with the due date set forth in Section 7651 shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the tax, exclusive of prepayments, with respect to the period for which the return is required.

(c) The penalties imposed by this section shall be limited to a maximum of 10 percent of the tax for which the return is required, exclusive of any prepayments, for any one return.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 251 (AB 1123), in effect January 1, 2002, lettered the former sole paragraph as subdivision (a), and added subdivision (b) and (c).

7655.5. Interest; daily basis. [Repealed by Stats. 2016, Ch. 264 (AB 2201), in effect January 1, 2017.]

7655.5. Interest; daily basis. (a) If the department finds, taking into account all facts and circumstances, that it is inequitable to compute interest at the modified adjusted rate per month or fraction thereof, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 6591.5, interest shall be computed at the modified adjusted daily rate from the date on which the tax or prepayment was due until the date of payment, if all of the following occur:

(1) The payment of tax or the prepayment was made one business day after the date the tax or prepayment was due.

(2) The person was granted relief from all penalties that applied to that payment of tax or prepayment.

(3) The person files a request for an adjustment.

(b) For purposes of this section, "modified adjusted daily rate" means the modified adjusted rate per annum as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 6591.5 determined on a daily basis by dividing the modified adjusted rate per annum by 365.

(c) For purposes of this section, "business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or any day designated as a state holiday.

(d) This section shall not apply to any payment made pursuant to a deficiency determination, a determination where no return has been filed, or a jeopardy determination issued by the department.

(e) This section shall only apply to electronic payments or prepayments of taxes.

History—Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 264 (AB 2201), in effect January 1, 2017. Stats. 2021, Ch. 432 (SB 824), in effect January 1, 2022, substituted "department" for "board" throughout; substituted "adjustment" for "oral hearing before the board" after "request for an" in paragraph (a)(3); deleted subdivision (c); and relettered former subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) as subdivisions (c), (d), and (e), respectively.

Note.—SEC. 1. of Stats. 2010, Ch. 316 (SB 1028), in effect January 1, 2011, states: "It is the intent of the Legislature that California's penalty and interest provisions foster and maintain the current high level of compliance, provide appropriate costs and sanctions for noncompliance, and provide a reasonable and administrable degree of latitude for individual taxpayer circumstances and errors. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act, that the State Board of Equalization strictly and narrowly apply its provisions on a case-by-case basis and only in special circumstances."

7656. Extension of time. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the board for good cause may extend for not to exceed one month the time for making any report or return or paying any tax required under this part. The extension may be granted at any time if a request therefor is filed with the board within or prior to the period for which the extension may be granted.

(b) (1) In the case of a disaster, the board, for a period not to exceed three months, may extend the time for making any report or return or paying any tax required under this part. The extension may be granted at any time provided a request therefor is filed with the board within or before the period for which the extension may be granted.

(2) For purposes of this section, "disaster" means fire, flood, storm, tidal wave, earthquake, or similar public calamity, whether or not resulting from natural causes

(c) Any person to whom an extension is granted shall pay, in addition to the tax, interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the date on which the tax would have been due without the extension to the date of payment.

History—Stats. 2016, Ch. 257 (AB 1559), in effect September 9, 2016, lettered first paragraph as subdivision (a) and substituted "Except as provided in subdivision (b), the" for "The" before "board for good cause"; added new subdivision (b); and lettered former last paragraph as subdivision (c).

7656.5. Extension of time; state of emergency proclamation. (a) Subject to subdivision (c), if the Governor issues a state of emergency proclamation, the department may extend the time, for a period not to exceed three months, for making any report or return or paying any tax required under this part for any person in an area identified in the state of emergency proclamation.

(b) If the department makes an extension pursuant to subdivision (a), any person in an area identified in a state of emergency proclamation shall not be required to file a request for the extension.

(c) The department may make the extension in subdivision (a) only during the first 12 months following the issuance of the state of emergency proclamation or the duration of the state of emergency, whichever is less.

History—Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 474 (SB 1496), in effect January 1, 2023.

7657. Excusable delay. (a) If the department finds that a person's failure to make a timely report, return, or payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the person's control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care and the absence of willful neglect, the person may be relieved of the penalty provided by Sections 7655, 7659.5, 7659.6, 7659.9, 7660, 7705, and 7713.

(b) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), any person seeking to be relieved of the penalty shall file with the department a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts upon which that person bases the claim for relief.

(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the department may grant relief of the penalty for any person in an area identified in a state of emergency proclamation made by the Governor for the period the state of emergency proclamation is effective, regardless of whether the person has filed a statement with the department pursuant to subdivision (b).

(2) The department may grant the relief in paragraph (1) only during the first 12 months following the issuance of the state of emergency proclamation or the duration of the state of emergency, whichever is less.

(d) The department shall establish criteria that provide for efficient resolution of requests for relief pursuant to this section.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 429 (AB 309), operative January 1, 2002, lettered the former sole paragraph as subdivision (a); deleted "7654," after "provided by Sections" and added "7659.9" after "7659.6," in subdivision (a); deleted former second paragraph; and added subdivisions (b) and (c). Stats. 2022, Ch. 474 (SB 1496), in effect January 1, 2023, substituted "department" for "board" throughout; substituted "subdivisions (c) and (d)," for "subdivision (c)" after "Except as provided in" and substituted "that person bases the" for "he or she bases his or her" after "the facts upon which" in subdivision (b); added subdivision (c); and relettered former subdivision (c) as subdivision (d).

7657.1. Excusable delay; reliance on Board advice. (a) If the board finds that a person's failure to make a timely return or payment is due to the person's reasonable reliance on written advice from the board, the person may be relieved of the taxes imposed by this part and any penalty or interest added thereto.

(b) For purposes of this section, a person's failure to make a timely return or payment shall be considered to be due to reasonable reliance on written advice from the board, only if the board finds that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The person requested in writing that the board advise him or her whether a particular activity or transaction is subject to tax under this part. The specific facts and circumstances of the activity or transaction shall be fully described in the request.

(2) The board responded in writing to the person regarding the written request for advice, stating whether or not the described activity or transaction is subject to tax, or stating the conditions under which the activity or transaction is subject to tax.

(3) The liability for taxes applied to a particular activity or transaction which occurred before either of the following:

(A) Before the board rescinded or modified the advice so given, by sending written notice to the person of the rescinded or modified advice.

(B) Before a change in statutory or constitutional law, a change in the board's regulations, or a final decision of a court, which renders the board's earlier written advice no longer valid.

(c) Any person seeking relief under this section shall file with the board all of the following:

(1) A copy of the person's written request to the board and a copy of the board's written advice.

(2) A statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts on which the claim for relief is based.

(3) Any other information which the board may require.

(d) Only the person making the written request shall be entitled to rely on the board's written advice to that person.

7657.5. Relief of spouse. (a) Under regulations prescribed by the board, if:

(1) A tax liability under this part was understated by a failure to file a return required to be filed under this part, by the omission of an amount properly includable therein, or by erroneous deductions or credits claimed on a return, and the understatement of tax liability is attributable to one spouse; or any amount of the tax reported on a return was unpaid and the nonpayment of the reported tax liability is attributable to one spouse.

(2) The other spouse establishes that he or she did not know of, and had no reason to know of, that understatement or nonpayment.

(3) Taking into account whether or not the other spouse significantly benefited directly or indirectly from the understatement or the nonpayment and taking into account all other facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the other spouse liable for the deficiency in tax attributable to that understatement or nonpayment, then the other spouse shall be relieved of liability for tax (including interest, penalties, and other amounts) to the extent that the liability is attributable to that understatement or nonpayment of tax.

(b) For purposes of this section, the determination of the spouse to whom items of understatement or nonpayment are attributable shall be made without regard to community property laws.

(c) This section shall apply to all calendar months subject to the provisions of this part, but shall not apply to any calendar month that is more than five years from the final date on the board-issued determination, five years from the return due date for nonpayment on a return, or one year from the first contact with the spouse making a claim under this section; or that has been closed by res judicata, whichever is later.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), "reason to know" means whether or not a reasonably prudent person would have had reason to know of the understatement or nonpayment.

(e) For purposes of this section, with respect to a failure to file a return or an omission of an item from the return, "attributable to one spouse" may be determined by whether a spouse rendered substantial service as a supplier entering, removing, or selling taxable motor vehicle fuel or an aircraft jet fuel dealer selling or using taxable aircraft jet fuel to which the understatement is attributable. If neither spouse rendered substantial services as a supplier or aircraft jet fuel dealer, then the attribution of applicable items of understatement shall be treated as community property. An erroneous deduction or credit shall be attributable to the spouse who caused that deduction or credit to be entered on the return.

(f) Under procedures prescribed by the board, if, taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it is inequitable to hold the other spouse liable for any unpaid tax or any deficiency (or any portion of either) attributable to any item for which relief is not available under subdivision (a), the board may relieve the other spouse of that liability.

(g) For purposes of this section, registered domestic partners, as defined in Section 297 of the Family Code, have the same rights, protections, and benefits as provided by this section, and are subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties as imposed by this section, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.

(h) The relief provided by this section shall apply retroactively to liabilities arising prior to the effective date of this section.

History—Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 342 (AB 1748), in effect January 1, 2008.

7658. Disaster. (a) If the department finds that a persons failure to make a timely return or payment was due to a disaster, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care and the absence of willful neglect, the person may be relieved of the interest provided by Sections 7655, 7656, 7659.9, 7661, and 7706.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a person seeking to be relieved of the interest shall file with the department a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts upon which that person bases the claim for relief.

(c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the department may grant relief of the interest for any person in an area identified in a state of emergency proclamation made by the Governor for the period the state of emergency proclamation is effective, regardless of whether the person has filed a statement with the department pursuant to subdivision (b).

(2) The department may grant the relief in paragraph (1) only during the first 12 months following the issuance of the state of emergency proclamation or the duration of the state of emergency, whichever is less.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 251 (AB 1123), in effect January 1, 2002, added "7659.9," after "7656" in the first paragraph. Stats. 2022, Ch. 474 (SB 1496), in effect January 1, 2023, redesignated former sole paragraph as subdivision (a); substituted "department" for "board" and deleted former second sentence in subdivision (a); added subdivisions (b) and (c).

7658.1. Relief of interest. (a) The board, in its discretion, may relieve all or any part of the interest imposed on a person by this part where the failure to pay tax is due in whole or in part to an unreasonable error or delay by an employee of the board acting in his or her official capacity.

(b) For purposes of this section, an error or delay shall be deemed to have occurred only if no significant aspect of the error or delay is attributable to an act of, or a failure to act by, the person.

(c) Any person seeking relief under this section shall file with the board a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts on which the claim for relief is based and any other information which the board may require.

(d) The board may grant relief only for interest imposed on tax liabilities that arise during taxable periods commencing on or after January 1, 2000.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 251 (AB 1123), in effect January 1, 2002, substituted "this part" for "Sections 7655 and 7661" after "on a person by" in subdivision (a).

7658.5. Application of payment to delinquent tax liabilities. Every payment on a delinquent tax shall be applied as follows:

(a) First, to any interest due on the tax.

(b) Second, to any penalty imposed by this part.

(c) The balance, if any, to the tax itself.

Article 2. Prepayments

7659. Application of article. The provisions of this article apply to suppliers required to file a supplier's return pursuant to Section 7651.

7659.1. Prepayment. Upon written notification by the board, any person whose estimated tax liability under this part averages nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) or more per month, as determined by the board, shall, without regard to the tax in any one month, make a prepayment as prescribed in this section. The prepayment requirement may be satisfied by making a prepayment of an amount not less than 95 percent of the tax liability for the month to which the prepayment applies or a prepayment not less than 95 percent of the amount of the tax liability reported for the previous month. Prepayments shall be made for the monthly periods designated by the board and during each succeeding monthly period until further notification by the board in writing.

7659.2. Prepayment form; when due. Except in the case of a person required to remit amounts due in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 7659.9), for purposes of Section 7659.1, each prepayment shall be accompanied by a report of the amount of that prepayment in a form prescribed by the board and shall be filed with the board on or before the 15th day following each monthly period together with a remittance payable to the Controller of the amount due.

History—Stats. 2001, Ch. 251 (AB 1123), in effect January 1, 2002, substituted "Except in the case of a person required to remit amounts due in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 7659.9), for purposes of Section 7659.1, each" for "Each" before "prepayment shall be accompanied".

7659.3. Credit for prepayment. The amount of the prepayment shall constitute a credit against the amount of the taxes due and payable for the monthly period for which the prepayment was made and for each succeeding monthly prepayment or period until the credit is fully utilized.

7659.4. Determination of estimated measure of tax liability. In determining whether a person's estimated tax liability averages nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) or more per month, the board may consider tax returns filed pursuant to this part as well as any information in the board's possession or which may come into its possession.

7659.5. Penalty for late prepayment. Any person required to make a prepayment pursuant to Section 7659.1 who fails to make a timely prepayment but makes that prepayment before the last day of the month following the monthly period for which the prepayment was due, shall also pay a penalty of 6 percent of the amount of prepayment.

7659.6. Delinquent prepayment but timely return and payment; penalty. Any person required to make a prepayment pursuant to Section 7659.1 who fails to make a prepayment before the last day of the month following the monthly period for which the prepayment became due and who files a timely return and payment for the monthly period for which the prepayment became due shall pay a penalty of 6 percent of the amount equal to 95 percent of the tax liability for the monthly period for which the required prepayment was not made.

7659.7. Penalty in case of negligence or intentional disregard. (a) If the failure to make a prepayment as described in Section 7659.6 is due to negligence or intentional disregard of this part or authorized rules and regulations, the penalty shall be 10 percent, instead of 6 percent.

(b) If any part of a deficiency in prepayment is due to negligence or intentional disregard of this part or authorized rules and regulations, a penalty of 10 percent of the deficiency shall be paid.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to amounts subject to the provisions of Sections 7655, 7660, 7662, 7672, 7673, and 7726.

(d) The 10-percent negligence penalty shall become due and payable and shall be ascertained and determined in the same manner as the deficiency determination under Article 4 (commencing with Section 7670) of this chapter. The provisions of Article 6 (commencing with Section 7710) of this chapter shall be applicable with respect to the finality of the determination and the right of the supplier to petition for redetermination.

History—Stats. 2007, Ch. 342 (AB 1748), in effect January 1, 2008, added subdivision (d).

7659.8. Service of notice. Notification by the board, provided for in Section 7659.1, may be served personally or by mail in the manner prescribed in Section 7671 for service of notice of a deficiency determination.

Article 2.5. Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer1

1Article 2.5 was added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 251 (AB 1123), in effect January 1, 2002.

7659.9. Electronic funds transfer program. (a) Any person whose estimated tax liability under this part averages twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or more per month, as determined by the board pursuant to methods of calculation prescribed by the board, shall remit amounts due by an electronic funds transfer under procedures prescribed by the board.

(b) Any person whose estimated tax liability under this part averages less than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per month may elect to remit amounts due by electronic funds transfer with the approval of the board.

(c) Any person remitting amounts due pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) shall perform an electronic funds transfer in compliance with the due dates set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 7651) and Article 1.1 (commencing with Section 7659). Payment is deemed complete on the date the electronic funds transfer is initiated, if settlement to the state's demand account occurs on or before the banking day following the date the transfer is initiated. If settlement to the state's demand account does not occur on or before the banking day following the date the transfer is initiated, payment is deemed to occur on the date settlement occurs.

(d) Any person remitting taxes by electronic funds transfer shall, on or before the due date of the remittance, file a return for the preceding reporting period in the form and manner prescribed by the board. Any person who fails to timely file the required return shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of taxes, exclusive of prepayments, with respect to the period for which the return is required.

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person required to remit taxes pursuant to this article who remits those taxes by means other than appropriate electronic funds transfer shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the taxes incorrectly remitted.

(2) A person required to remit prepayments pursuant to this article who remits a prepayment by means other than an appropriate electronic funds transfer shall pay a penalty of 6 percent of the prepayment incorrectly remitted.

(f) Except as provided by Sections 7659.5 and 7659.6, any person who fails to pay any tax to the state or any amount of tax required to be paid to the state, except amounts of determinations made by the board under Article 2 (commencing with Section 7660) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 7670), within the time required shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the tax or amount of tax, in addition to the tax or amount of tax, plus interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the date on which the tax or the amount of tax required to be paid became due and payable to the state until the date of payment.

(g) In determining whether a person's estimated tax liability averages twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or more per month, the board may consider tax returns filed pursuant to this part and any other information in the board's possession.

(h) Except as provided in subdivision (i), the penalties imposed by subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) shall be limited to a maximum of 10 percent of the taxes due, exclusive of prepayments, for any one return. Any person remitting taxes by electronic funds transfer shall be subject to the penalties under this section and not Section 7655.

(i) The penalties imposed with respect to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) and Sections 7659.5 and 7659.6 shall be limited to a maximum of 6 percent of the prepayment amount.

(j) The board shall promulgate regulations pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code for purposes of implementing this section.

History—Stats. 2005, Ch. 519 (AB 1765), in effect October 4, 2005, but operative January 1, 2006, deleted the former last sentence of subdivision (b) which provided "The election shall be operative for a minimum of one year."

7659.91. Relief of penalty. If the board finds that a person's failure to make payment by an appropriate electronic funds transfer in accordance with board procedures is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the person's control, and occurred notwithstanding the exercise of ordinary care and in the absence of willful neglect, that person shall be relieved of the penalty provided in subdivision (e) of Section 7659.9.

Any person seeking to be relieved of the penalty shall file with the board a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts upon which he or she bases his or her claim for relief.

7659.92. Definitions. (a) "Electronic funds transfer" means any transfer of funds, other than a transaction originated by check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephonic instrument, or computer or magnetic tape, so as to order, instruct, or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit an account. Electronic funds transfers shall be accomplished by an automated clearinghouse debit, an automated clearinghouse credit, or by Federal Reserve Wire Transfer (Fedwire).

(b) "Automated clearinghouse" means any federal reserve bank, or an organization established in agreement with the National Automated Clearing House Association, that operates as a clearinghouse for transmitting or receiving entries between banks or bank accounts and which authorizes an electronic transfer of funds between these banks or bank accounts.

(c) "Automated clearinghouse debit" means a transaction in which the state, through its designated depository bank, originates an automated clearinghouse transaction debiting the person's bank account and crediting the state's bank account for the amount of tax. Banking costs incurred for the automated clearinghouse debit transaction shall be paid by the state.

(d) "Automated clearinghouse credit" means an automated clearinghouse transaction in which the person, through his or her own bank, originates an entry crediting the state's bank account and debiting his or her own bank account. Banking costs incurred for the automated clearinghouse credit transaction charged to the state shall be paid by the person originating the credit.

(e) "Fedwire transfer" means any transaction originated by a person and utilizing the national electronic payment system to transfer funds through the federal reserve banks, when that person debits his or her own bank account and credits the state's bank account. Electronic funds transfers pursuant to Section 7659.9 may be made by Fedwire only if payment cannot, for good cause, be made according to subdivision (a), and the use of Fedwire is preapproved by the board. Banking costs incurred for the Fedwire transaction charged to the person and to the state shall be paid by the person originating the transaction.

7659.93. Electronic filing. (a) Any return, report, declaration statement, or other document required to be made under this part that is filed using electronic media shall be filed and authenticated pursuant to any method or form the board may prescribe.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, any return, report, declaration, statement, or other document otherwise required to be signed that is filed by the taxpayer using electronic media in a form as required by the board shall be deemed to be a signed, valid original document, including upon reproduction to paper form by the board.

(c) Electronic media includes, but is not limited to, computer modem, magnetic media, optical disk, facsimile machine, or telephone.

(d) Upon written approval of the board, a person may satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a) by executing and providing to the board a consent and authorization for the Internal Revenue Service to provide to the board under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, the return filed by the person under Section 48.4101-2 of Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The board, in its sole discretion, may rescind its approval and require a person to file reports as specified in subdivision (a).

History—Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 429 (AB 309), operative January 1, 2002.

Article 3. Determination If No Return Made

7660. Determination if no return made; penalty. If any supplier fails, neglects, or refuses to file the return within the time prescribed by this chapter, the board shall estimate the motor vehicle fuel removals, entries or sales for the period for which he or she made no return within the time required. Upon the basis of this estimate the board shall determine the tax due from the supplier, and shall add to the tax a penalty of 10 percent thereof. The board may make a determination for more than one period and may make one or more determinations for the same period.

7661. Interest on determination. All determinations so made, exclusive of penalties, shall bear interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the last day of the month after the close of the monthly period for which the amount or any portion thereof should have been returned until the date of payment.

7662. Penalty in case of fraud. If the neglect or refusal of a supplier to file a return is due to fraud or intent to evade the tax, a penalty of 25 percent of the tax shall be added thereto in addition to the 10 percent penalty provided in Section 7660.

7663. Notice of determination. Promptly after making its determination the board shall give to the delinquent supplier written notice of the estimate, tax, and penalty, the notice shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 7671 for giving notice of a deficiency determination.

Article 4. Deficiency Determinations

7670. Basis of deficiency determination. If the board is not satisfied with the return made by any supplier, it may make a deficiency determination of the tax required to be paid by the supplier based upon information contained in the return or upon any information in the possession of the board. The board may make a determination for more than one period and may make one or more determinations for the same period. When a business is discontinued a determination may be made at any time thereafter, within the period specified in Section 7675, as to liability arising out of that business, irrespective of whether the determination is issued prior to the due date of the liability as otherwise specified in this part.

7671. Notice of determination. The department shall give the supplier written notice of its determination. The notice shall be served in one of the following manners:

(a) By placing the notice in a sealed envelope, with postage paid, addressed to the supplier at the supplier’s address as it appears in the records of the department. Service made pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed complete at the time of the deposit of the notice in the United States Post Office, or a mailbox, sub-post office, substation, or mail chute, or other facility maintained or provided by the United States Postal Service, without extension of time for any reason.

(b) By personally delivering the notice to the person to be served. Service made pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed complete at the time of that delivery. Personal service to a corporation may be made by delivery of a notice to any person designated in the Code of Civil Procedure to be served for the corporation with summons and complaint in a civil action.

(c) (1) By delivering the notice electronically via secure transmission when either of the following applies:

(A) The taxpayer requests the notice of determination to be sent electronically via secure transmission.

(B) The department has evidence that the taxpayer no longer receives mail at the address of record and has previously provided an address for electronic mail.

(2) Service provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deemed complete at the time the department electronically transmits the notice via the taxpayer’s secure web portal, without extension of time for any reason.

History—Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1053 (AB 2114), operative January 1, 2002. Stats. 2024, Ch. 499 (SB 1528), in effect January 1, 2025, substituted "department" for "board" after "The" in the first sentence; "substituted "served in one of the following manners:" for "placed in" after "shall be" in the second sentence; redesignated the remainder of the former second sentence at "a sealed" as new subdivision (a); added "By placing the notice in" before "a sealed" and substituted "department." for "board." in new first sentence of new subdivision (a); substituted "Service made pursuant to this subdivision" for "The giving of notice", substituted "sub-post" for "subpost" after "mailbox", and added a comma after "substation", and "chute" in the second sentence of new subdivision (a); deleted "In lieu of mailing, a notice may be served personally by" before "delivering" in new subdivision (a); redesignated the remainder of the third sentence at "delivering" as subdivision (b); added "By personally" before "delivering", "the notice" after "delivering" and substituted "served." for "served and service" in first sentence of new subdivision (b); redesignated remainder of former first sentence at "shall be deemed" as second sentence and added "Service made pursuant to this paragraph" before "shall be deemed" in new second sentence of subdivision (b); and added subdivision (c).

7672. Deficiency determination penalty. If any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency determination is made is due to neglect or intentional disregard of this part or authorized rules and regulations, a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the determination shall be added thereto.

7673. Fraudulent deficiency determination penalty. If any part of the deficiency for which a deficiency determination is made is due to fraud or an intent to evade the tax, a penalty of 25 percent of the amount of the determination shall be added thereto.

7674. Deficiency determination interest. All deficiency determinations, exclusive of penalty, shall bear interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the last day of the month following the close of the monthly period for which the amount or any portion thereof should have been returned until the date of payment.

7675. Deficiency determination statute of limitation. Except in the case of fraud, intent to evade this part or authorized rules and regulations, or failure to make a return, every notice of a deficiency determination shall be given to the supplier within three years after the last day of the month following the monthly period for which the amount is proposed to be determined or within three years after the return is filed, whichever period expires the later. In the case of a failure to make a return the notice of determination shall be served within eight years after the date the return was due.

History—Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1053 (AB 2114), operative January 1, 2002. Stats. 2024, Ch. 499 (SB1528), in effect January 1, 2025, substituted "served" for "mailed" after "shall be" in the last sentence.

7675.1. Limitation; deficiency determination; decedent. In the case of a deficiency arising under this part during the lifetime of a decedent, a notice of deficiency determination shall be served within four months after written request therefor, in the form required by the department, by the fiduciary of the estate or trust or by any other person liable for the tax or any portion thereof.

History—Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1053 (AB 2114), operative January 1, 2002. Stats. 2024, Ch. 499 (SB1528), in effect January 1, 2025, substituted "served" for "mailed" after "shall be" and "department" for "board" after "required by the".

7676. Extension of statutory period by agreement. If, before the expiration of the time prescribed in Section 7675 for serving a notice of deficiency determination, the taxpayer has consented in writing to service of the notice after that time, the notice may be served at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period so agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon.

History—Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1053 (AB 2114), operative January 1, 2002. Stats. 2024, Ch. 499 (SB1528), in effect January 1, 2025, substituted "serving" for "the mailing of" after "Section 7675 for", "service" for "the mailing" after "writing to", and "served" for "mailed" after "notice may be" in the first sentence.

Article 5. Jeopardy Determinations and Weekly Payments

7698. Jeopardy determinations. If the board believes that the collection of any amount of tax imposed under this part will be jeopardized by delay, it shall thereupon make a determination of the amount of tax, noting that fact upon the determination. The amount determined is immediately due and payable.

7699. Determination final unless petition for redetermination filed. If the amount of the tax, interest, and penalty specified in the jeopardy determination is not paid within 10 days after service upon the supplier of notice of the determination, the determination becomes final, unless a petition for redetermination is filed within the 10 days, and the delinquency penalty and interest provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 7710) shall attach to the amount specified.

7700. Petition for redetermination; security. The supplier against whom a jeopardy determination is made may petition for the redetermination thereof pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 7710). He or she shall, however, file the petition for redetermination with the board within 10 days after the service upon him or her of notice of the determination. At the time of filing the petition for redetermination, the supplier shall deposit with the board such security as it may deem necessary to ensure compliance with this part.

7700.5. Administrative hearing. In accordance with these rules and regulations as the board may prescribe, the person against whom a jeopardy determination is made may apply for an administrative hearing for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) To establish that the determination is excessive.

(b) To establish that the sale of property that may be seized after issuance of the jeopardy determination or any part thereof shall be delayed pending the administrative hearing because the sale would result in irreparable injury to the person.

(c) To request the release of all or a part of the property to the person.

(d) To request a stay of collection activities. The application shall be filed within 30 days after service of the notice of jeopardy determination and shall be in writing and state the specific factual and legal grounds upon which it is founded. No security need be posted to file the application and to obtain this hearing. However, if the person does not deposit within the 10-day period prescribed in Section 7700, such security as the board may deem necessary to ensure compliance with this part, the filing of the application shall not operate as a stay of collection activities, except sale of property seized after issuance of the jeopardy determination. Upon a showing of good cause for failure to file a timely application for administrative hearing, the board may allow a filing of the application and grant the person an administrative hearing. The filing of an application pursuant to this section shall not affect provisions of Section 7699 relating to the finality date of the determination or to penalty or interest.

7701. Weekly payment requirements. If the board deems the procedure necessary in order to insure payment to the state of the amount of taxes due from any supplier under this part, it may require the supplier to make returns and payments of taxes on a weekly basis. The supplier must then file a return each Tuesday showing the total number of gallons of motor vehicle fuel removed, entered, or sold by the supplier during the week ending the Saturday next preceding, the amount of tax due for that week and such other information as the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this article. The return shall be accompanied by a remittance payable to the Controller for the amount of tax due for the period covered.

7702. Monthly return; additional requirement. A supplier required to make weekly payments is not relieved of the duty of filing the verified monthly return required by Article 1 (commencing with Section 7651).

7703. Revocation of license. Whenever any supplier who is required to pay tax in weekly installments as provided by Section 7701 fails to make a weekly return or to pay the full amount in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by the board, the supplier's license may be revoked forthwith.

7704. Special jeopardy determination; collection. If a supplier fails to make the supplier's weekly return or to pay any weekly installment of the tax, or any part thereof, pursuant to the requirement imposed upon the supplier under Section 7701, the full amount of the installment becomes immediately due and payable. The board shall thereupon make a jeopardy determination under Section 7698 and the Controller and the Attorney General shall forthwith collect the tax due from the supplier in the manner prescribed by Chapters 5 (commencing with Section 7651) and 6 (commencing with Section 7851). All provisions of those chapters, where relevant, apply to collections required to be made under this article.

7705. Penalty for nonpayment; expiration date. If any supplier fails to pay any weekly installment of tax shown to be due by the supplier's return on the Tuesday when required to be paid, a penalty of 5 percent shall be added thereto. In addition, if any weekly installment of tax remains unpaid on the last day of the month following the month during which the last of the removals, entries for sales occurred on which the weekly installment was levied, a penalty of 10 percent of the installment, exclusive of penalties, shall be added thereto. The weekly installment shall be deemed not paid or unpaid on any particular day:

(a) If not paid prior to 5 p.m. of that day, when paid in person.

(b) If the envelope in which the remittance is enclosed bears a post office cancellation mark dated later than that day, when paid by mail.

7706. Interest. All jeopardy determinations including those made under Section 7704, exclusive of penalty, shall bear interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the last day of the month following the close of the monthly period for which the amount or any portion thereof should have been returned until the date of payment.

7707. Service of notice. Any notice required by this article shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 7671 for giving notice of a deficiency determination.

Article 6. Redeterminations

7710. Petition for redetermination. Any supplier against whom a determination is made by the board under Article 3 (commencing with Section 7660) and Article 4 (commencing with Section 7670) may petition for a redetermination within 30 days after the date the notice thereof is given to him. If a petition for redetermination is not filed within the 30-day period, the determination becomes final at the expiration of the period.

7710.5. Form and content. Every petition for redetermination shall be in writing and shall state the specific grounds upon which the petition is founded. The petition may be amended to state additional grounds at any time prior to the date on which the board issues its order or decision upon the petition for the redetermination.

7711. Redetermination decision final. If a petition for redetermination is filed within the 30-day period, the board shall reconsider the determination and, if the supplier has so requested in his or her petition shall grant him or her an oral hearing and shall give him or her 10 days notice of the time and place of the hearing. Service of notice shall be as prescribed by Section 7671. The board may continue the hearing from time to time as may be necessary.

7711.5. Changing amount of determination. The board may decrease or increase the amount of the determination before it becomes final, but the amount may be increased only if a claim for the increase is asserted by the board at or before the hearing. Unless the penalty imposed by Section 7662, Section 7673, or Section 7726 applies to the amount of the determination as originally made or as increased, the claim for increase must be asserted within eight years after the date the return for the period for which the increase is asserted was due.

7712. Decision; final date of. The order or decision of the board upon a petition for redetermination becomes final 30 days after the giving of notice thereof to the supplier as prescribed by Section 7671.

7713. Final determination penalty. All determinations made by the board under this chapter are due and payable at the time they become final. If they are not paid when due and payable, a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the determination, exclusive of interest and penalties, shall be added thereto. Payments shall be made in the form of a remittance payable to the Controller and shall be filed with the board together with a copy of the notice of determination which the board shall furnish to the supplier for that purpose.

7714. Offsets. In making a determination the board may offset overpayments for a period or periods, together with interest on the overpayments, against underpayments for another period or periods, against penalties, and against the interest on the underpayments. The interest on the underpayments and overpayments shall be computed in the manner set forth in Sections 7674 and 8130.

7715. Deposit of funds. All payments received by the board from suppliers under this part shall be deposited by the board for the Controller in the State Treasury and appropriate advices of those payments shall be transmitted to the Controller by the board.

7716. Notice to Controller. The board shall notify the Controller of any and all determinations made pursuant to this chapter as well as the amounts self-determined under this part, and the Controller shall keep an appropriate record of all such matters.

Article 7. Payments by Unlicensed Persons

7726. Immediate liability for tax. (a) If any person becomes a supplier without first securing a license, the tax, applicable penalties and interest, if any, become immediately due and payable on account of all motor vehicle fuel removed, sold, or entered by the supplier.

(b) The board shall forthwith ascertain as best it may the amount of motor vehicle fuel removed, sold, or entered and shall determine immediately the tax on the amount, adding to the tax a penalty of 25 percent of the amount of the tax, and shall give the unlicensed supplier notice of this determination as prescribed by Section 7671; provided, however, that where the board determines that failure to secure a license was due to reasonable cause, the penalty may be waived. The provisions of Sections 7699 and 7700 shall be applicable with respect to the finality of the determination and the right of the unlicensed supplier to petition for a redetermination.

7727. Immediate liability for backup tax. (a) The backup tax imposed under Section 7364 and any applicable penalties and interest shall be immediately due and payable.

The board shall forthwith ascertain as best it may the amount of motor vehicle fuel sold, or delivered into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle fuel-powered highway vehicle, or sold and delivered into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle fuel-powered highway vehicle, and shall determine immediately the tax on the amount and shall give the highway vehicle operator/fueler notice of this determination as prescribed by Section 7671. The determination shall include interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the last day of the month following the date the backup tax applies until the date of remittance to the state. The provisions of Sections 7699 and 7700 shall be applicable with respect to the finality of the determination and the right of the highway vehicle operator/fueler to petition for a redetermination.

(b) A penalty of 25 percent of the amount of tax or five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is greater, shall be added to the tax.

(c) If both the penalty specified in this section and in Section 7405 are otherwise applicable, only the penalty totaling the greatest amount shall be imposed, and, the penalty specified in this section shall be imposed only if the amount of penalty exceeds any other applicable penalty.

(d) Where the board determines that the sale, delivery into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle fuel-powered highway vehicle, or sale and delivery into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle fuel-powered highway vehicle of untaxed motor vehicle fuel was due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the person's control, may be relieved of the penalty. A person seeking to be relieved of the penalty shall file with the board a statement under penalty of perjury setting forth the facts upon which the request for relief is based.

(e) All administrative provisions contained in this part that apply to a supplier shall also be applicable to a highway vehicle operator/fueler.

7728. Jeopardy determination collection. The board shall file a copy of this jeopardy determination with the Controller who shall forthwith collect the tax, penalty, and interest due from the unlicensed supplier by seizure and sale of property in the manner prescribed for the collection of a delinquent monthly tax.

7729. Court action. At the request of the Controller, the Attorney General shall commence and prosecute to final determination an action at law to collect the tax, penalty, and interest, or any part thereof, determined against an unlicensed supplier.

7730. Prima facie evidence. In the suit, a copy of the jeopardy determination certified by the secretary of the board or by the Controller, shall be prima facie evidence that the unlicensed supplier is indebted to the state in the amount of the tax, penalties, and interest computed as prescribed by Section 7706.

7731. Cumulative remedies. The foregoing remedies of the state are cumulative.

7732. Penal action. No action taken pursuant to this article relieves the unlicensed supplier or a highway vehicle operator/fueler in any manner from the penal provisions of this part.